Because each cohort of incoming Fellows comes to the Foundation with an enviable track record of meaningful work experience, an eager and inquiring spirit, and the courage to question the status quo.

Because it allows me to repeatedly see our Foundation leaders at their best—opening up to the Fellows’ countless questions, continually opening doors that help Fellows build enduring professional networks, and gently explaining why we do what we do in the midst of a constantly changing world.

Because the Fellowship, as a locus for learning, provides an opportunity to explore issues, like class dynamics, that are often strangely silent in philanthropy.

Because the Fellowship alumni are energetic, creative leaders funneling resources, influencing policies, and running programs from reading and the arts to affordable housing and water systems.

Because the Fellowship opens the door, especially for people of color, to what has been the historically closed and elite—some would say elitist– circle of philanthropy.

Because working with Fellows allows me to guide, counsel, and cajole Fellows and then witness the blossoming of a wealth of talent, passion, and skills that lead to positions of greater influence, authority, and lives full of meaning.

Because our communities and neighborhoods all deserve to benefit from the richness of skilled, experienced, values-based leaders of color, our Multicultural Fellows.

Note: The deadline to apply for the fellowship is this coming Monday, March 11th.

Last week’s election was a powerful reminder that it’s not just the money, it’s the ground game that makes the difference.

Yesterday we welcomed dozens of nonprofit visionaries – grant applicants – to our How to Apply Workshops.  These workshops provide nonprofits in our region with information on the guidelines and process of applying online for a San Francisco Foundation grant.

Some of the questions at the workshop brought into focus the importance of a ground game. And for us this translates into a clear imperative: Don’t lead with the money. Focus on the idea, articulate the vision, and build community support for it, for that will make the impact. The money will follow.

At The San Francisco Foundation we take a holistic approach to philanthropy. We believe that we need to push on several fronts to forge real change. We build an ecosystem of grantees that collectively create a greater impact than any one of them could do alone.

Our grantmaking supports research and polling, technical assistance, communications, community organizing, direct services, and advocacy. We believe these are all essential to making change that is lasting and meaningful.

Philanthropy should take a page from the Obama playbook: Don’t lead with the money, embrace diversity, and have a strong ground game.